Navy Museums, An Armada of History
and Heritage
By Miles Hadley, Naval Historical Center Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Although they attract 2 million free admission
visitors annually, a rich Navy resource that is often overlooked by
Sailors is its "armada" of museums located on shore installations
throughout the United States.

From The Navy Museum in Washington, D.C., to the Naval Museum of Armament
Technology at China Lake, Calif., the 11 official museums use more than
a million artifacts to ensure that the Navy's history is maintained
and built upon.

The flagship museum is The Navy Museum located in
the historic Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C. Recently reaccredited
for excellence by the American Association of Museums, its permanent
exhibit spans the entire 200-year history of the U.S. Navy. And this
year, it is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its establishment by
Adm. Arleigh Burke. Web site: www.history.navy.mil/branches/nhcorg8.htm.

Affiliated with Navy Museum, and located nearby, is the Navy
Art Gallery. It exhibits examples from the Navy's world-class
collection of over 17,000 artworks. Web site: www.history.navy.mil/branches/nhcorg6.htm.

The Naval Civil Engineer Corps/Seabee Heritage Center
is unique in that it is one museum with two locations. The exhibit areas
are at the Seabee installations in Gulfport, Miss., and Port Hueneme,
Calif. And like the force they represent, both sites have been literally
buzzing with activity. Since its inception in 1947, this museum continues
to lay foundation stones by reminding members of the Naval Civil Engineer
Corps and Seabees of their illustrious history. Web site: https://portal.navfac.navy.mil/nfelc.

The Hampton Roads Naval Museum in Norfolk, Va., is
different in that it is not located on a Navy installation. Part of
a vast maritime museum complex called The Nauticus National Maritime
Center; visitors are treated not only to a first-class museum, but also
a battleship. The moored USS Wisconsin (BB 64) is still in reserve,
despite now being over 50 years old. The ship's deck is very popular
for functions, and there is even a "Wisky" walk in the museum
explaining all about it. Web site: www.hrnm.navy.mil.

The National Museum of Naval Aviation, Pensacola,
Fla., is one of the largest and most beautiful air and space museums
in the world. It boasts over 140 meticulously restored aircraft representing
Naval, Marine Corps and Coast Guard aviation. Perhaps the piece d'resistance
is the dazzling seven-story glass and steel atrium that is home to four
suspended "Blue Angels" A4 Skyhawks. Another popular feature
is part of the flight deck from the World War II aircraft carrier USS
Cabot (CVL 28). This museum pulls in droves of visitors each year, even
if for only a flying visit! Web site: www.naval-air.org.

The Naval War College Museum, Newport, R.I., is located
in a National Historic Landmark at the college ironically called the
"Poorhouse." This museum focuses on the milestones in the
evolutionary development of war at sea. It also chronicles the close
relationship between the Naval War College and the surrounding populace.
Web site: www.nwc.navy.mil/museum.

Not only does the U.S. Naval Academy Museum, Annapolis,
Md., serve as an educational and inspirational resource for the Brigade
of Midshipmen there, but also to other students of naval history and
thousands of visitors each year. Special emphasis is given to objects
that illustrate the role of the naval officer, and those who have attended
the Naval Academy. Web site: www.nadn.navy.mil/Museum.

At the Naval Undersea Museum, Keyport, Wash., visitors
can immerse themselves in Navy underwater history. This museum combines
naval history, underwater technology, and marine science to create an
exciting and educational experience for visitors. The museum is particularly
child friendly, and has many interactive facilities that provoke further
interest and learning. Web site: www.keyportmuseum.cnrnw.navy.mil.

The Navy Supply Corps Museum, Athens, Ga., is housed
in the historic 1910 Carnegie library building in the center of the
Navy Supply Corps School campus. Artifacts on exhibit include an 1841
purser's uniform and lots of World War II era memorabilia. The museum
archives contain supply related documents ranging from old cookbooks
to photographs and command histories - a truly abundant "Lucky
Bag." Web site: www.nscs.cnet.navy.mil/service2.asp?ID=6.

Visitors can submerge themselves in submarine history at the Submarine
Force Museum, Groton, Conn. Artifacts, documents and photographs
relating to the submarine service continue to resurface, and it is the
job of the museum to collect them for the benefit of all. The museum
even has its own submarine moored nearby that visitors can board, the
historic USS Nautilus (SSN 571), the first nuclear submarine in the
world. Web site: www.ussnautilus.org.

One of the younger museums in the museum "armada" is the
Naval Museum of Armament and Technology, China Lake,
Calif. Established in 2000 after a ten-year effort by volunteers and
Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) employees, it showcases
the advance of air warfare weapons development in the Navy. Web site:
www.chinalakemuseum.org.

The Patuxent River Naval Air Museum is currently located
in a temporary building on NAS Patuxent River, Md., but will soon be
reopening at a new location in nearby Lexington Park. It is the only
museum in the United States dedicated to preserving the rich heritage
of the research, development, test and evaluation (RDT & E) of naval
aircraft. It is hoped that the new museum will eventually display a
stripped down F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet. Web site: www.paxmuseum.com.

"The Navy's "armada" of museums is eclectic, and continues
to provide a vital role in the education of Sailors and civilians alike.
The museums represent the Navy's heritage; and amongst them, its past,
both in war and peace, is collected, stored and exhibited for the benefit
of young and old," said Dr. William S. Dudley, director, Naval
Historical Center.